This was an odd game. It's rare to see one team so totally unable to run. I'm a Giants fan, so I've often seen Paul Perkins or Rashad Jennings run straight into tacklers at the line of scrimmage for no gain these past two seasons, but Jonathan Stewart was losing three or four yards on half of his runs. A coach can force 2nd-and-9 or -10 if he's stubborn, but 2nd-and-13 is unacceptable even to the dumbest, most thick-skulled troglodytes.

• With no running game, little time to throw and receivers (and defenders) dropping his passes, Cam Newton was inefficient on 52 attempts, managing only 239 yards (4.8 YPA.) But the threw a TD and ran for 71 yards and another score, making it a strong fantasy day in leagues that don't tax interceptions that heavily. And one of the picks was a short throw to Stewart who had it tip off his hands to a defender.

• Stewart looks done. Forget about the bobbled pass that caused a turnover - he just has no burst, no ability to escape. Christian McCaffrey isn't great between the tackles either, but at least he has some wiggle. McCaffery caught 10 passes, one of which went for a TD, and he also made a huge play on third-and-long and fourth-and-short that extended the final drive. I doubt he'll be a star, but he could have Reggie Bush's career.

• Kelvin Benjamin had 13 targets, catching nine of them, while Devin Funchess was quiet. It looks like Benjamin's still the clear No. 1.

• Carson Wentz had a great game, considering the defense, the short week and the road venue. He also added 25 yards on the ground. He's in the right system, and Alshon Jeffery, Nelson Agholor, Zach Ertz and Torrey Smith constitute good enough weapons.

• Speaking of which, you can see why Agholor was a first-round pick. He's quick and explosive - it looks like he's the clear No. 2 to Jeffery in this offense, No. 3 if you include Ertz who had only two catches, but both were in the end zone.

• LeGarrette Blount is one of the more underrated players in the NFL. The Eagles run block well - even without Lane Johnson - but Blount pounds for extra yards and delivers body-blows that wear down the defense.

• The Eagles defensive front dominated all game. The Panthers couldn't run, and Newton was under assault the entire game, having to hang in and take hits just to get short passes off. The secondary is vulnerable, but this team is a contender.

• Penny-slot Ron Rivera kicked a terrible field goal on 4th-and-goal from the two-yard line, down 18-10. The potential difference in points only ended up being the margin in the game (though even had they scored, I imagine Rivera would kicked the PAT instead of going for two.)